A tribute from a Marine who loves NYC

[ColonialMarine0431]

I was in the Marriott on 9-11. I don't talk about it much.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LLDj9Y4wvbI

[ColonialMarine0431]

I went and re-upped that day. Because I love this country.

[DesertFox]

:patriot:

[Elgalad]

For me it was this event. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_Beirut_barracks_bombing)

I had never really thought about joining the military as an option. College was always pushed by my teachers, parents, etc.. and when I told them I had gone to see the Marine recruiter the week after the bombing, they thought I was nuts.

I had to get my parents permission to sign up for the DEP since I was only 17 and hadn't finished school, and it took a Lot of persuasion, but they finally gave in.

And they still can't understand to this day why I wanted to do it. But it wasn't at all about being adventurous or crazy like most of my friends thought.

It was simply about doing the right thing.

Just like you said ~ I love my country.

This is one thing that Liberals and "Peace at any Costers" will Never understand. They claim that we are foolhardy, that we can't possibly know what we are getting into, that we are too young to even comprehend the nature of war. They believe that they are 'protecting' us by trying to force us out of harm's way.

They naively believe that everyone is 'good' at heart and only have the best intentions if we 'just leave them alone'.

But it is They who are too blind to see that there really are bad guys in this world who care nothing for peace, or freedom, or justice; evil men who hungrily crave power, wealth, control, and will do Anything to obtain it.

Thank God that with every new generation, a few young men and women DO understand the truth and are willing to stand in their way, whatever the cost.

There's an excellent poet, a warrior poet really, named Russ Vaughn. He is a Vietnam Vet and he has created a great deal of wonderful messages that say this much better than I ever could. I know my post is going to run long here, and my apologies folks, but I'd like to quote one of my favorites. Some of you have probably seen this before, but bear with me, please. :thumb:


The Sheepdogs, (by SSGT Russ Vaughn, USA (http://www.bittersweetme.net/RussVaughn_Poetry.htm))

Most humans truly are like sheep;
Wanting nothing more than peace to keep.
To graze, grow fat, and raise their young,
Sweet taste of clover on the tongue.
Their lives serene upon Life's farm,
They sense no threat nor fear no harm.
On verdant meadows, they forage free
With naught to fear, with naught to flee.
They pay their sheep-dogs little heed
For there is no threat, there is no need.

To the flock, sheepdogs are mysteries,
Roaming watchful 'round the peripheries.
These fang-toothed creatures bark, they roar
With the fetid reek of the carnivore.
Too like the wolf of legends told,
To be amongst our docile fold.
Who needs the sheep dogs? What good are they?
They have no use, not in This day.
Lock them away, out of our sight..
We have no need of their fierce might!

But sudden in their midst a beast
Has come to kill, has come to feast.
The wolves attack; they give no warning
Upon this calm September morning.
They slash and kill with frenzied glee
Their passive helpless enemy;
Who had no clue the wolves were there
Far roaming from their Eastern lair.
Then from the carnage, from the rout,
Comes the cry, "Turn the Sheep Dogs Out!!"

Thus is our nature but too our plight;
To keep our dogs on leashes tight.
And live a life of illusive bliss
Hearing not the beast, his growl, his hiss.
Until he has us by the throat,
We pay no heed, we take no note.
Not until he strikes us at our core
Will we unleash the Dogs of War.
Only having felt the wolf pack's wrath
Do we loose the Sheepdogs on their path.
And the Wolves will learn what we've shown before..

We love our Sheep, we Dogs of War.


:patriot:


Semper Fidelis,

-Elgalad

[Beowulf]

I went amd re-upped that day. Because I love this country.
Marine, I actually thought about it the morning I watched all this take place. I had just completed my guard committement the year before. I couldn't though and I'm not totally sure why.

I was in the Marriott on 9-11. I don't talk about it much.
I don't blame you.

[Rhino]

Marine, I actually thought about it the morning I watched all this take place. I had just completed my guard committement the year before. I couldn't though and I'm not totally sure why.I considered it too, but I'm too old and broken down. If I hadn't retired when I did, they very likely would have retired me medically. They were working on it.

[aaron11]

Hooah!!!